Fair Taxes & Good Public Services

Hearing Premier Christy Clark reject the challenge by opposition leader Adrian Dix to debate the HST makes one wonder if she understands what office she ran for and got elected to.

She claims “the NDP were trying to politicize the issue… We won’t be playing those games,” said Clark. “This is about a major tax policy decision and not leaders of political parties.”

Well, welcome to the province of British Columbia, planet Earth, Ms. Premier. What could be more political than a major change in tax policy? What could be more useful to citizens trying to make up their mind on the referendum question than a good old-fashioned head-to-head debate between two central proponents on opposite sides of the question?

She is no longer hosting a radio talk show where she gets to pick the topics and cut-off troublesome guests. She owes it to the people of BC to leave her protective bubble and engage in the to and fro of democratic debate. What is she afraid of?

After a record filibuster, Stephen Harper’s Tories manged to ram through the law ending the work stoppage at Canada Post. Even though it was the corporation that created the crisis by shutting the doors all across the country it is management that wins big. The legislation imposes everything they wanted – and more.

What does this have to do with tax fairness?  As pointed out in our Tax Facts section most people have seen no real increases in thirty years – or even fallen behind as the economy continued to grow. Lower wages and benefits for new employees extends this wealth shift to new generations of working families.

Reductions in employment income or tax shifts like the HST all have the same purpose. The same as reduced public services forced by tax cuts. It is about increasing inequality and re-creating an almost feudal division between a tiny wealthy elite and the rest of us. It is an economic war against working and middle class families.

In the Lord of the Rings’ Twin Towers Aragorn points out to the hesitant King Theoden that “Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not.” Like the peaceful people of Rohan we did not seek or welcome this battle – will we fight back or be consumed?

I’m not usually one to quote the Bible but the news that Gordon Campbell is being rewarded with a plumb diplomatic posting put me in a dark biblical mood. Makes one long for one of those righteous old testament prophets to bring down fire and brimstone – or maybe a good plague or two.

The “wages of sin is death” according to Romans 6:23 but not apparently according to Stephen Harper. For the sins of attacking public sector workers (recently ruled illegal by the Supreme Court) gutting regulations to protect the public and the environment, and massive tax giveaways to the wealthy Campbell is made High Commissioner to the  London champagne and caviar circuit. (Can you say DUI?)

Then there is the 9th commandment - Thou shall not bear false witness. Modern update: thou shall not tell people the HST is “not on the radar” and then  deceitfully impose it weeks after a thus stolen election. Let’s hope there is justice in heaven, it seems to be lacking at the moment here on earth.

Perhaps just coincidence, but I was watching Murdoch Mysteries when another pro-HST commercial from the Smart Tax Alliance came on. Couldn’t help thinking of the old detective line when looking for a prime suspect: “Follow the money”.

Don’t know if real-life police detectives talk like that but it sure makes sense to me. It must be costing millions for the professional video production and large number of prime time TV spots. We will never know exactly who is funding this PR campaign and how mcuh it cost.  Christy Clark made sure third-party spending limits and disclosure rules do not apply to the HST referendum as they do for regular elections.

You can be sure many of the dubious cast of characters listed as Smart Tax Alliance members have ponied up big-time to shill for the HST. They will probably be able to write-off their contributions as business expenses anyway. According to the rules this is perfectly reasonable – after all they are simply investing - spending a little money now to make a lot more later.

So like your favourite sleuth, just follow the money. Who is running the con? Who is “the mark”? Who stands to benefit? Who winds up the loser?

No surprise that just weeks after laying off the public workers who provide court security (sheriffs) the negative impact is being felt – and reported. This service is a good example of the thousands of things we count on our tax dollars paying for and too often take for granted.

Unlike big ticket items like healthcare and education we don’t all use this service at some point in our lives - in fact we hope we never need it. But a well-funtioning legal system is central to a civilized society.

Whether you or a loved one are victims of a crime – or you find yourself on the wrong end of the law – you expect a fair and timely process of justice. In fact, the Supreme Court of Canada has found that undue delays are a violation of our fundamental rights.

Governments that cut back these essential services and people who oppose fair and adequate taxes to pay for them are not just putting forward a different viewpoint. They are violating your rights.